(Not) as easy as 1-2-3: Galesburg girls basketball team to face top 3 teams in Class 3A
GALESBURG — Evan Massey is in his 44th season guiding Galesburg High School's girls basketball team.
Massey, who holds a 960-377 career record, and his Silver Streaks are about to embark on something they haven't done before.
Galesburg's set to face the No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A in Geneseo on Thursday night in a Western Big 6 Conference affair at John Thiel Gymnasium.
On the docket after that for the 17-5 Silver Streaks is No. 3 ranked Peoria Central and No. 2 ranked Morton in Downstate Classic action Saturday at Thiel.
“We’d like to think year in and year out that we set up a schedule that is going to help our players get better," Massey said Tuesday morning. "It’s unusual with the schedule that this year we just got some of those games back-to-back-to-back.
“It’s a challenge but it’s also an exciting opportunity for us to go against the best in the state," Massey added. "I’m unaware of any time in my career that anybody has ever played No. 1, 2 and 3 back-to-back-to back. We’ll have to be tough."
This past Saturday afternoon, Galesburg fell on the road to No. 6 ranked Lincoln 47-41.
“Obviously, all of us were disappointed in the outcome on Saturday but come Monday morning when we practiced they did what they’ve done all year. They go on to the next play and game," Massey said. "They don’t need a pep talk or to be cheered up. They know what they need to do to prepare for this week's games.”
And the Silver Streaks' first test is the 21-0 Maple Leafs.
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“I think the two things that make them really tough is one they are just a very experienced team. They are a group that has played together a couple years now," Massey said of Geneseo. "The second thing is they’re very athletic. They play the game at a very fast pace.
“They’re good enough I don’t think there is a magic bullet and saying we do this to slow them down," Massey added. "As much as anything, we’ve got to try to be able to play at their speed.”
Galesburg has downed a No. 1 ranked foe before at Thiel. Back in January 2017, the Streaks beat the Potters 40-37, and Galesburg knocked off Peoria Richwoods 80-77 in November 2009.
The Streaks have the abilities to get the job done again.
“The last month, I think we’ve become a better offensive team and that’s made a real difference in our ability to compete with better teams," Massey said.
Galesburg's schedule
Tue., Nov. 16: Galesburg 66, Limestone 49
Sat., Nov. 20: Galesburg 70, Freeport 28
Sat., Nov. 20: Galesburg 55, Springfield 32
Tue., Nov. 24: Moline 61, Galesburg 36
Sat. Nov. 27: Galesburg 73, Peoria Manual 48 (Turkey shootout)
Sat. Nov. 27: Galesburg 72, Champaign Centennial 35 (Turkey shootout)
Thur., Dec. 2: Geneseo 60, Galesburg 52
Sat., Dec. 4: Galesburg 64, United Township 31
Thur., Dec. 9: Quincy 46, Galesburg 37
Thur., Dec. 16: Galesburg 46, Alleman 41
Sat., Dec. 18: Galesburg 71, Burlington (Iowa) 23 (Streaks Invite)
Sat. Dec. 18: Galesburg 62, Bloomington 39 (Streaks Invite)
Mon., Dec. 27: Galesburg 65, Altamont 56 at Mattoon Holiday Tourney
Mon., Dec. 27: Galesburg 57, Richland County 31 at Mattoon Holiday Tourney
Tue., Dec. 28: Galesburg 57, Effingham St. Anthony 33 at Mattoon Holiday Tourney
Tue., Dec. 28: Mahomet-Seymour 39, Galesburg 34 at Mattoon Holiday Tourney
Wed., Dec. 29: Galesburg 61, Richland County 34 at Mattoon Holiday Tourney (3rd place game)
Tue., Jan. 4: Galesburg 51, Rock Island 41
Sat. Jan. 8: Galesburg 57, Peoria Manual 26
Mon., Jan. 10: Galesburg 60, Sterling 32
Thur., Jan. 13: Galesburg 56, Moline 40
Sat., Jan. 15: Lincoln 47, Galesburg 41
Thur., Jan. 20 vs. Geneseo, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 vs. Peoria, 1:30 p.m. (Downstate Classic)
Sat., Jan. 22 vs. Morton, 6 p.m. (Downstate Classic)
Thur., Jan. 27 at Quincy, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 vs. United Township, 1:30 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 1 at Canton, 7 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 3 at Rock Island, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 5 at Alleman, 7 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 9 vs. Sterling, 7 p.m.
Matthew Wheaton can be reached at (309) 315-6073 or at mwheaton@register-mail.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewlwheaton
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: IHSA Girls Basketball: Streaks have trio of tough games this week
